Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

Ricky Manning (Courtesy: NBC) A contestant with Northeast Ohio ties has survived the blind auditions on "The Voice" and will be competing on team Pharrell. Ricky Manning, 19, said he took a year after high school to concentrate on music and has been performing on the streets of New York City. He told judges he is currently living with his father in New Jersey and before that had lived in Cape Coral, Fla., with his mother. Manning told WKYC he was born at an Akron hospital and was raised in Medina. Even thought his family moved to Florida when he was in the third grade, Manning said he still has strong family ties to Northeast Ohio. Both of his grandmothers still live in Medina. Click to see our 11 p.m. live interview:

The WKYC Health and Wellness Expo is back at the Cleveland Convention Center on Saturday, September 6th – bigger and better than ever. Thousands of Northeast Ohio residents will get the opportunity to get free health screenings and learn important information about living a healthier lifestyle from over 120 exhibitors at the 40,000 square foot exhibit. Visitors will enjoy presentations on three stages that will include health and wellness information, the latest trends in healthy cooking and exercise, tips for keeping your family safe and ways to help keep your family, your finances and your body all in working order. WKYC personalities, including Russ Mitchell, Kris Pickel, Betsy Kling and many others will be on hand to greet Expo guests who will also be given the chance to try their hand at being a weather anchor or a sportscaster. This was a highlight at last year’s Expo as folks uploaded their “TV debut” to the WKYC Facebook page for all to see A number of area non-profi...

Channel 3's Hollie Giangreco was live at the "Today" show set in New York City Wednesday morning to help the show wish a happy 60th birthday to weatherman Al Roker. Roker, who worked for WKYC for five years in the late '70s and early '80s, sent his well wishes back to Cleveland, remarking that he misses the West Side Market. Giangreco gave Roker a birthday present -- a Cleveland five-day forecast T-shirt mocking the city's vastly different weather from day to day. Roker joked that he wasn't looking forward to the birthday but conceded "any anniversary you can spend about ground is a good thing.""And to have all these people come down … that's very, very nice," he said, joking with fans gathered on the plaza that he was old enough to be their grandfather. Upon learning that anchors Russ Mitchell and Kris Pickel are in town as well, he couldn't help but crack a joke. "You've got to relish a name like that,...

Margaret Bernstein Margaret Bernstein Joins WKYC As Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives “She’s an award-winning journalist, a high school mentor, a national Big Sister of the Year, and a passionate crusader for the people and communities of Northeast Ohio,” said VP and Station Manager Micki Byrnes. “Starting in September, she will also be the new Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives for Channel 3 and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her.” “This is simply the perfect opportunity for me. I deeply respect WKYC’s trailblazing work in community advocacy and want to help the station continue moving our community forward,” Margaret said. ”I firmly believe that people want more than just the news headlines – they want to know what they can do to make a positive difference. It’s up to us in the news media to shed light on the best ways for the public to get involved.” For over 20 years, Margaret wrote for Ohio’s largest daily newspaper and as a Metro columnist sh...

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. Channel 3 with air the 2nd Browns preseason game against the Washington Redskins this Monday night, August 18th. Our Pregame Huddle will air from 7-8p (directed by Frank Macek and produced by Jeff Yakawiak) followed by ESPN's national production on WKYC beginning at 8p. Channel 3 News will also be live next Thursday, August 21st, at 6p and 7p from FirstEnergy Stadium to show you all the new improvements the stadium this year. Our entire WKYC evening anchor team will broadcast live from the stadium on both editions of Channel 3 News. We are seeing plenty of new faces at Channel 3 this month. Let's get you caught up. Jiselle Macalaguin is joining the WKYC digital team as a Digital Content Producer starting August 18th. Mack comes to use as Internet Managing Editor at WNWO/NBC 24 in Toledo. Lexxi Gilles recently joined our team ...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog Carl Icahn By Gary Strauss, USA Today Activist investor Carl Icahn has taken a stake in Gannett, saying the TV and newspaper company that publishes USA TODAY (and part company of WKYC-TV), is undervalued. Icahn has amassed a stake in Gannett, according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing Thursday. The filing says Gannett shares are undervalued and that value could be created by splitting the companies print and broadcasting divisions -- a move Gannett CEO Gracia Martore already announced  Aug. 5. The 13D filing says Icahn plans to "have discussions" with Gannett's management and board of directors "relating to the planned separation, corporate governance, capitalization and capital allocation." Gannett shares were up 6.3% to $36.20 in after-hours trading, when the filing was disclosed. Icahn was not available for comment. A spokeswoman said Icahn says the 13D-filing "speaks for itself."

Gannett Headquarters in McLean, Virginia Here's part of today's exciting announcement from Gannett, owner of WKYC-TV... McLean, VA, August 5, 2014 – Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) today announced its plan to create two publicly traded companies with scale: one exclusively focused on its Broadcasting and Digital businesses, and the other on its Publishing business.  The planned separation of the Publishing business will be implemented through a tax-free distribution of Gannett’s Publishing assets to shareholders. The transaction will create two focused companies with increased opportunities to grow organically across all businesses as well as pursue strategic acquisitions. Gannett has also signed a definitive agreement to acquire full ownership of Cars.com, one of the leading digital companies in the automotive space. Under the agreement, Gannett will acquire the 73% interest it does not already own in Classified Ventures LLC, which owns Cars.com, for $1.8 billion in ca...

By Frank Macek Get ready to begin your weekend mornings a little earlier with more news and more weather updates on Channel 3 this fall as WKYC has announced it will greatly expand its Saturday and Sunday newscasts starting in September. Photo by: David Hrvatin On Saturday morning, Channel 3 will add one hour of all local news from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. leading into the Saturday edition of the "Today Show" that will continue to air from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by "Channel 3 News Today" from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The midday edition of "Channel 3 News at Noon" will continue to air as well. On Sunday morning, Channel 3 will add two hours of local news from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., then the Sunday edition of the "Today Show" from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and "Channel 3 News Today" from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Meanwhile, NBC's "Meet the Press" will start a half hour earlier beginning at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the midday edition of "Ch...

By Frank Macek The announcement last week about the return of basketball superstar LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers has generated plenty of buzz worldwide, to say the least. Friday's announcement is the biggest sports story for 2014. Channel 3 News devoted non-stop, team coverage of the announcement from the time the story broke during our noon broadcast until the end of Channel 3 News at 6 p.m. After NBC Nightly News, WKYC also presented our viewers with another hour long special from 7 to 8 p.m. and expanded coverage on Channel 3 News at 11 p.m. that night. Jim Donovan on NBC Nightly News National media from coast to coast contacted Channel 3 wanting interviews and insight from our news team of how important the impact will be on the city that just days earlier won the Republican National Convention in 2016. Channel 3 News wall to wall coverage was carried by the NBC Newschannel for any affiliate who wished to air parts of our coverage live. WKYC Sports Ancho...

Lynna Lai WKYC weekend evening anchor and weekday reporter Lynna Lai has been named morning co-anchor of "Channel 3 News Today." Lai will join John Anderson on our morning show weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., along with morning meteorologist Hollie Giangreco and team of reporters who start your day off right with the information you need to know. WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan tells the Director's Cut Blog that "we have searched far and wide for the right morning co-anchor to join that team. We believe the right person was here all along." "Lai is competitive and passionate about winning. She’s a great reporter who is not afraid to ask tough questions. She also celebrates all the positive momentum building in Northeast Ohio. I always appreciate Lynna’s leadership and the morning show will definitely be better for it," Donnellan added. Lai brings 18 years of broadcasting experience in major markets across the country to the job. He...

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. It's been far too long since we had our last update, so let's get you caught up on something currently happening. July is already upon us and we are getting ready for another season of Cleveland Browns football that kicks off on your official television home of Cleveland Browns. We'll kick off our fall coverage on Thursday, July 24, with our "Browns Training Camp" special at 7 p.m. with WKYC's Jim Donovan and radio voice of the Cleveland Browns who will be live in Berea for this year's training camp. Then we turn the page to August and preseason football action. Once again this year, Channel 3 will air all four of the Cleveland Browns preseason games. Our first game is Saturday, August 9th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Detroit Lions live from Ford Field. August 18th's game against Washington is an ESPN produced ga...

Wale' Aliyu Look for a new face on Channel 3 News this August. Wale' Aliyu is joining WKYC as a multimedia journalist announced WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan. Aliyu joins the Channel 3 team after spending the last four years in Ohio. Aliyu comes to Cleveland after reporting, anchoring and producing for ABC 22/FOX 45 in Dayton since 2010. Before Dayton, Aliyu started his career in Columbia, Missouri where he anchored for Newsy.com, reported for ABC 17/FOX 38 as well as KOMU-TV8. Aliyu grew up in Columbia, Missouri and graduated Cum Laude with a Convergence/Broadcast Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. Aliyu has worked several different jobs in the various newsrooms since the age of 15. In addition to broadcast, he also has experience reporting for newspaper, radio and online. Aliyu says he's comfortable telling stories on any topic but his favorite stories are ones that make an impact on people's lives. "One of the first televi...

WKYC Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling CLEVELAND - Channel 3 Weather is testing a new weeknight weather webcast that you can watch on-line or through your mobile devices like smartphones or tablets. Every weeknight at 9 p.m., the Channel 3 Weather team, led by Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling, brings you an early look at the weather so you don't have to always wait to get your forecast. You can find the webcast right at the top of our main page on wkyc.com or through our WKYC News app which you can download for free in the iTunes Store or Google Marketplace. Or, just text WKYC to 25543 and we'll send a direct link right now to the app store. It's that easy! Our webcast is an "off the cuff" and unique broadcast that interacts with you via social media. You can send us your weather photos by tagging us @wkycweather on Twitter or you can hop on our Weather Warriors Facebook page at Facebook.com/WKYC.Channel3.Weather We'll give you that night's c...

The 45th annual Lower Great Lakes Emmy®  Award Nominations were presented Saturday night at the Cleveland Convention Center's Grand Ballroom for work done in 2013. WKYC took home a sweep of the major news catergories including Best Evening Newscast, Best Morning Newscast and Best Breaking News Coverage. Congratulations to everyone. Here is a list of WKYC Awards with category and station entrants... Newscast - Evening - Market 1-20: Channel 3 News at 11 PM - Russ Mitchell, Sara Shookman, Lynna Lai, AJ Ross, Frank Macek, Kris Pickel, Tom Meyer, Jennifer Jordan and Kim Wendel Newscast - Morning/Daytime - Market 1-20: Channel 3 News Today - Jennifer Nickels, Matthew Granite, Erin Kennedy, Mark Bogden and Brooke Whitney Breaking News: Miracle in Cleveland - Russ Mitchell, Lisa Lowry, Lynna Lai, Kris Pickel, Grant Debruin, Tom Meyer, Jennifer Jordan, Jennifer Lindgren, Danielle Sills and Kim Wendel Continuing Coverage: Castro Exclusives - Tom Meyer Poli...

 Investigator, Tom Meyer Congratulations to WKYC's Tom Meyer, The Investigator, for his two awards in the 2013 Ohio Associated Press Media Editors broadcast competition. Tom received a First Place award in "Best Continuing Coverage" for his "Castro Exclusives" and Second Place award in "Best Enterprise Reporting" for "Bad Medicine." The awards were announced this weekend and include stations from all across Ohio for both radio and television broadcasting. --- Follow Frank Macek on Twitter @ frankmacekwkyc

WKYC's parent company, Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire six of London Broadcasting Company’s television stations in Texas for $215 million in an all-cash transaction. The acquisition includes KCEN (NBC) in Waco-Temple-Bryan, KYTX (CBS) in Tyler-Longview, KIII (ABC) in Corpus Christi, KBMT (ABC) and its digital sub-channel KJAC (NBC) in Beaumont-Port Arthur, KXVA (FOX) in Abilene-Sweetwater and KIDY (FOX) in San Angelo. The purchase of these stations further deepens Gannett’s broadcasting presence in the high-growth state of Texas without any overlap of Gannett’s current local broadcast and publishing portfolio. Gracia Martore, president and chief executive officer of Gannett, said, “The addition of these stations will expand Gannett’s reach into some of the fastest growing markets in the nation and furthers our successful transformation into a diversified multi-media company. With more than 70% of London Broadcasting’s...

The 45th annual Lower Great Lakes Emmy®  Award Nominations were announced on Thursday and WKYC is nominated in 16 different categories this year for work done in 2013. The final awards will be handed out on Saturday, June 7th, at the Cleveland Convention Center's Grand Ballroom. Cleveland comic Mike Polk will be hosting the Emmy® Awards gala once again this year. Congratulations to everyone. Here is a list of WKYC nominations with category and nominees... Newscast - Evening - Market 1-20: Channel 3 News at 11 PM - Russ Mitchell, Sara Shookman, Lynna Lai, AJ Ross, Frank Macek, Kris Pickel, Tom Meyer, Jennifer Jordan and Kim Wendel Newscast - Morning/Daytime - Market 1-20: Channel 3 News Today - Jennifer Nickels, Matthew Granite, Erin Kennedy, Mark Bogden and Brooke Whitney Breaking News: Miracle in Cleveland - Russ Mitchell, Lisa Lowry, Lynna Lai, Kris Pickel, Grant Debruin, Tom Meyer, Jennifer Jordan, Jennifer Lindgren, Danielle Sills and Kim Wende...

In conjunction with the release of their full preseason schedule, the Cleveland Browns and WKYC-TV on Wednesday announced a new preseason broadcast team. Dates and kickoff times for the Browns' four preseason games, in advance of the NFL releasing the regular-season schedule at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Sat., Aug. 9 at Detroit Lions at Ford Field (WKYC) at 7:30 p.m. Mon., Aug. 18 at Washington Redskins FedEx Field (ESPN ) at 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 23 ST. LOUIS RAMS at FIRSTENERGY STADIUM (WKYC) 8 p.m. Thur., Aug. 28 CHICAGO BEARS at FIRSTENERGY STADIUM (WKYC ) 8 p.m. The Browns and WKYC are revamping their broadcast team, welcoming veteran commentator Solomon Wilcots to the preseason television booth. Additionally, the Browns are exploring more opportunities to allow fans to hear from Bernie Kosar, the All-Pro quarterback who guided the team to three AFC Championship games in the 1980s. Wilcots, who will serve as color commentator alongside WKYC's Jim Donovan, the Voice of the ...

The gloves are on and the Giant Food Face Off is about to begin. Channel 3's anchors are facing off to fight hunger and they need your help. Join team Russ, team Kris, team Hollie or team John by making a food or money donation. Food donations are being accepted in specially marked bins Friday April 11 here at the WKYC studios, 1333 Lakeside Ave. in downtown Cleveland and at the following Giant Eagle locations: Cleveland - 3050 W. 117th St. Broadview Heights - 4343 Royalton Rd. North Olmsted - 27264 Lorain Rd. You can also donate money by clicking on the following link: http://on.wkyc.com/1gIVmLR Let's knock out hunger by supporting Harvest for Hunger in Northeast Ohio. Sponsored by Giant Eagle … neighbors helping neighbors.

Hilary Golston By Frank Macek WKYC-TV has announced Hilary Golston will be joining the Channel 3 News family this month as a Multi-Media Journalist and Reporter. Golston comes to northeast Ohio from Birmingham, Alabama, and NBC affiliate, WVTM-TV, where she anchored and reported as part of an Emmy and AP award winning team. "She’s very excited to help us make positive change and will now be closer to her family in Detroit," WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan tells the Director's Cut Blog. During her time at WVTM,  Hilary pioneered “Council Extra” - a weekly segment where she brought viewers important breaking stories on Sunday night. She’s covered all sorts of political stories from complex multi-million dollar bond measure referendum to the arrest and indictment of government officials. She also reported on the worst tornado outbreak in the history of the Alabama that killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in that state. ...

Micki Byrnes WKYC has announced that Micki Byrnes has been named VP/Station Manager for WKYC while Brooke Spectorsky will remain as President/GM and SVP Gannett Broadcasting. “I am pleased to announce the promotion of Micki Byrnes to VP/Station Manager for WKYC-Cleveland,” announced Dave Lougee, president of Broadcasting for Gannett Co. Inc. “She will be responsible for WKYC’s daily operation with all departments reporting to her.” Brooke Spectorsky will remain as WKYC’s President and General Manager, and continue in his role as a Senior Vice President for Gannett Broadcasting managing all syndicated programming efforts for the combined Gannett/Belo television group.  Spectorsky also oversees three additional Gannett television station markets. Byrnes joined Gannett Broadcasting in October of 1997 as Director of Marketing and Promotion for WKYC-TV3, NBC in Cleveland, Ohio.  She was named Vice President, Advertising and Promotion in 2000, responsible for the bra...

The Investigator, Tom Meyer Congratulations to WKYC's Investigator Tom Meyer who is a finalist in the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors 2013 radio and TV contest. Tom's works being voted upon include Best Continuing Coverage: "Castro Exclusives" and Best Enterprise Reporting: "Bad Medicine." The awards will be announced at the annual banquet May 18th in Columbus.

Special to the Director's Cut from wkyc.com Robin Swoboda has decided to leave WKYC-TV. Swoboda's last day on the 7 p.m. news will be Friday, February 28. The announcement was released by President and General Manager of WKYC, Brooke Spectorsky, Tuesday afternoon. Spectorsky said "It's exciting for her, but sad for us. Robin Swoboda has decided she'd like to do something new with her life." She joined Channel 3 in March 2011. She and reporter Chris Tye were teamed as co-anchors of the 7 p.m. newscast. In 2012, Jim Donovan replaced Tye as her co-anchor.

Starting Monday February 7, NBC's daytime coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi will cause us to shuffle daytime programming on Channel 3. NBC's daily coverage of the games airs from 3 to 5pm every weekday until February 21 so here's what our daytime line-up will look like during the Olympics: 11am - Family Feud 11:30am - Entertainment Tonight Noon - Ellen 1pm - Days of Our Lives 2pm - Dr. Phil 3-5pm - Olympic Coverare 5-6pm - Channel 3 News at 5 6pm - Channel 3 News at 6 6:30pm - NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams 7pm - Channel 3 News at 7 7:30pm - The Ozone. Channel 3's Olympics Zone show Unfortunately we will not be able to re-air missed episodes of Bethenny, The Doctors or Rachel Ray. Live on Lakeside will go on hiatus until the Olympics have ended. All shows will be back in their normal time slots on Monday February 24.

Special to the Directors Cut from wkyc.com Del Donahoo Del Donahoo was an integral part of the Channel 3 WKYC family from the day he walked through the door here on July 1, 1968. Del celebrated his 90th birthday on Nov. 15, 2013, and he passed away Wednesday morning. People throughout Northeast Ohio knew Del and, as WKYC's Tom Beres said today, "He was a kind, decent man." He was an important part of the Channel 3 family. From 1981 to 1998, Del co-anchored the "Today in Cleveland Show" with Tom Haley. His wife, Martha, even became part of the show, with her now famous coffee and Tom's incessant criticism of it. Haley passed away March 16, 2009. While at the University of Iowa, Del met his future bride, Martha, who was a student at Drake College. They were married in 1948. Martha passed away in October, 2006, and the couple had two children and four grandchildren. Together in Del's Folkswagon, Del and Martha attended just about every para...

Tiffany Tarpley WKYC-TV has announced Tiffany Tarpley will be joining the Channel 3 News team as a multimedia journalist (MMJ), according to Channel 3 News Director Brennan Donnellan. Tiffany will report as part of Channel 3 News Today, anchored by John Anderson and morning meteorologist Hollie Strano from 4:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Tiffany is a Lorain, Ohio, native, so she is returning home from Milwaukee where she currently reports weeknights for WDJT-TV/CBS58. Before that, she worked at WUPW-TV in Toledo and at the Fox/CBS duopoly in Lima, Ohio. "I'm excited about the opportunity to work in my home market and join the talented team of journalists at WKYC," she tells the Director's Cut Blog. She is also a graduate of Bowling Green State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism and was honored as a Broadcast Journalism Student of the Year. Her other studies included Lorain County Community College for two years. In ...

WKYC-TV is a proud supporter of this year's Homeless Stand Down to be held January 25th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Cleveland Public Auditorium. This important, 23rd annual event helps provide food, clothing and other items to homeless individuals who are in dire need of assistance here in own community. In addition, the program provides medical, dental and other much needed services for the homeless and those in transitional housing. Donations are now being accepted for such items as new blankets, socks, boots and personal items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, shampoo, lotion, hand cleaners and feminine hygiene products. You can drop off your donation at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 2592 West 14th Street during the following times: *Saturday, January 18th from 1 - 3 p.m. *Sunday, January 19th from 1 - 3 p.m. *Monday, January 20th from 10 a.m. - noon and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. *Tuesday, January 21st from 5:30 - 7:30 ...

Ultra High Definition televisions, curved screens, giant displays—those are a few of the biggest trends for TVs at this year's CES. Have a look:

McLEAN, VA – Gannett Co., Inc. (parent company of WKYC-TV) announced today that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Belo Corp. for $13.75 per share in cash, in addition to the assumption of $715 million of outstanding debt, for a total transaction value of $2.2 billion.  The combination with Belo nearly doubles Gannett’s broadcast portfolio and creates the largest independent station group of major network affiliates in the top 25 markets, including stations to be serviced by Gannett under shared services and similar arrangements. Gannett now reaches approximately one-third of all television households in America. It also significantly expands the company’s geographic reach and revenue diversity. Gannett will become the #1 CBS affiliate group, the #4 ABC affiliate group, and will expand its already #1 NBC affiliate group position. Gracia Martore, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gannett, said, “We are thrilled to combine these two storied media c...

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center as we get ready to wrap up 2013. The November sweeps period was a solid one for WKYC-TV/3 as Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 PM won the conveted 25-54 age demographic (NSI overnights. Nov 2013. A25-54). According to WKYC President/General Manager Brooke Spectorsky, "While we were extremely fortunate to have Dr. Phil land the Michelle Knight interview, our numbers even without those nights still won the time period. Other top rated stories included an expose of local doctors and medical professionals who had been suspended and/or stripped of their licenses and an investigation into tanker cars carrying toxic chemicals through local neighborhoods." Under the leadership of WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan, Channel 3 News is putting a strong emphasis on investigative and enterprise reporting which viewers have responded positively...